Power Players in Healthcare Gather at Gesundheitskongress des Westens 2025 in Cologne, Germany

COLOGNE, Germany (May 15, 2025) – Germany’s leading minds in healthcare policy, innovation, and diplomacy came together at the Gesundheitskongress des Westens 2025, held from May 14 to 15 in Cologne, bringing renewed focus to global partnerships and digital transformation in healthcare.

The congress featured a distinguished lineup of participants from government ministries, hospitals, think tanks, and the pharmaceutical industry. Opening the event were key figures including Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann, and Prof. Dr. Karl Max Einhäupl, who presided over the forum.

A major highlight was the keynote by Frank Sieren, renowned economic journalist and China expert, who spoke on China’s emergence as a pioneer in global health innovation. This set the stage for a standout session titled “China – From Imitator to Innovation Driver?” — a topic that drew international attention.

Among the distinguished speakers was Prof. Mike Chan, Chairman of European Wellness Biomedical Group, whose profile was prominently featured in the official program booklet (Pg. 3, highlighted in red).

Prof. Chan stood out as the sole panelist addressing stem cell science and regenerative medicine. He also spoke about the importance of China–Germany collaboration—a contribution that resonated strongly with the conference’s broader mission to promote international healthcare partnerships and innovation.

He was joined by Chinese government health representative Feifei Zhao and moderator Dr. Claus Biermann, Head of Healthcare for the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA).

With over 60 speakers across multiple venues, the event emphasized Germany’s leadership role in shaping future healthcare systems and signaled growing interest in Asia–Europe collaboration — particularly in stem cell therapy, pediatric care, and health innovation. The presence of high-level delegates from China, including from Baoding and Beijing Children’s Hospital, further underscored the conference’s global resonance.

As global health challenges evolve, events like this continue to serve as vital platforms for connection, education, and joint action.

Quick Summary of Pages 1–3 of the Program Handbook

• Event Name & Dates: “Gesundheitskongress des Westens 2025”, held on May 14–15, 2025.
• Sponsors & Partners: Hauptsponsor SHL Gruppe Telemedizin, with a long list of German health industry partners including AOK Rheinland, DAK-Gesundheit, and Lilly Deutschland.
• Media & Organizational Partners: ÄrzteZeitung, Springer Medizin, medhochzwei, and others.
• Organizer: WISO S.E. Consulting GmbH.

Opening Session Highlights:

• Welcome Remarks by Claudia Küng and speeches from Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker and Congress President Prof. Dr. Karl Max Einhäupl.
• Keynote by Frank Sieren, China expert and journalist: “China: Pioneer in Health Innovations?”
• Ministerial Address: Karl-Josef Laumann, Health Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Panel Discussions: Led by global healthcare leaders including Prof. Helga Rübsamen-Schaeff and Dr. Eyal Zimlichman (Sheba Medical Center, Israel), covering Germany’s healthcare potential.

• Breakout Sessions: Covered various themes — hospital reform, diabetes and obesity, patient steering, structural innovations.
• Panelists and Moderators: Influential voices like Prof. Josef Hecken (Federal Joint Committee), Dr. Carsten König (Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung), and health economists from major universities.
• Featured Panel: “China – From Imitator to Innovation Driver?” with Prof. Mike Chan prominently highlighted (in a red box) and pictured as a panelist alongside Frank Sieren, Feifei Zhao, and Claudia Küng. Session moderated by Dr. Claus Biermann, Head of Healthcare at BWA.

Conclusion: Setting the Stage for Global Health Transformation             

In conclusion, the first three pages of the Gesundheitskongress des Westens 2025 booklet not only map out the structure and scale of this influential event but also underscore its role as a nexus for thought leadership in health policy, scientific innovation, and global collaboration.

With figures like Mayor Henriette Reker, Minister Karl-Josef Laumann, Prof. Mike Chan, and keynote speaker Frank Sieren driving high-level discussions, the congress set the tone for shaping the future of healthcare across Europe and beyond. Their presence, alongside over 60 experts from medicine, research, and policy, affirmed the event’s status as a premier platform for building bridges — between regions, disciplines, and nations.